neon tetras not eating(so i think)

S

swimfast

AC Members
Mar 3, 2005
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I just recently purchased two neon tetras however i noticed that they don't seem to be eating. It seems as though the other fish are out-competing them for the food.

I have:

1 guppy
2 tri-color platys
2 "mickey mouse" platys
2 neon tetras

Any Ideas? Thanks for the help.
 
Well, depending on how big the tank is, have you considered giving the neons a properly sized school? They are a schooling fish and they actually do better in groups of 6 or more. They are more confident in a group that size and at that point, they may be more comfortable schooling together for food and not so afraid. I know my Head and Taillight tetras only school at two times: when I clean the tank (it scares them and they feel more secure in a tight group) and at feeding time (because the other fish moving around so much scares them). Mine eat just fine in a goup, but if I scare one off by moving too suddenly, they usually all dart and forget about the food.
 
I only have a 10 gallon, is that going to be too small if i were to get another 3? How large do the platy's get?
 
Get a few more neons for sure. They do not add much bioload to the tank, as long as you are rigid about tank maintenance. They should perk up with a few friends. The ones you have may fade away without more company. Cherry barbs are good in pairs.
 
Neons NEED at least 6. 10 is better. I never recommend them for a ten gallon simply because you'd only be able to fit the one school and thats it. you could get 2-3 more and see how they do. They need good clean water and lots of plants to feel secure. Neons also are mid water feeders. My cardinals will rarely go to the top, they wait for food to fall to the mid level and they catch it as it falls.
 
Kissofthegorami said:
Neons NEED at least 6. 10 is better. I never recommend them for a ten gallon simply because you'd only be able to fit the one school and thats it. you could get 2-3 more and see how they do. They need good clean water and lots of plants to feel secure. Neons also are mid water feeders. My cardinals will rarely go to the top, they wait for food to fall to the mid level and they catch it as it falls.
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Ah great advice, KotG. I presoak my flake food and algae tabs and often just forget not everyone does. If you presoak your food, some flakes will sink right away, so the tetras may be more willing and able to get it then.
 
theres food made for them, Hikari makes micro pellets made specialy for tetras and other small fishes that dont go to the top to get food as much. But that still wont help your fish eat you still will need more tetras
 
I use tetramin floating flakes, but I take a coupel and crush them up in my finger, then stick them just below the surface of the water. Only reason the flakes don't sink normally is that they can't break the water tension. So I give 'em some help. Current from a filter, etc. can do the same thing. And yeah, you probably should get at least 3 or 4 more (5 or 6 total). I've got 2 male fantails, now 7 neons and 3 peppered corys in my 10gal tank, and everyone seems happy,
 
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